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Fundraising

On Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the Rural Women Foundation (RWF) hosted its first annual fundraising dinner. The event was aimed at raising funds for the organisation’s various projects which include building an orphanage to provide shelter and care for the orphans and vulnerable children they work with, and to drive the ‘Sponsor-a-Child Programme’ which encourages individuals and corporations to sponsor a disadvantaged child’s welfare financially (fully or in part). It was also aimed at soliciting support and contributions for the sustainability of the good work being done presently by the organization. Twenty of the eligible children, many of which are orphans were present at the event. The evening attracted a number of high profile dignitaries; some of whom were ably represented and impressed to contribute their quota to the cause.

The Master of Ceremony for the evening, Mrs. Dayo Benjamins-Laniyi, MD/CEO DOXA Digital Communications Ltd expertly steered the evening’s proceedings in an engaging fashion. The Executive Director of Rural Women Foundation and chief host of the event, Mrs. Ngozi Mercy Ajuonu, in her welcome address appreciated WINROCK International for the long years of sustained partnership and for helping to strengthen RWF's internal structure, the European Development for Rural Development (EUCORD) for partnering with RWF, United States Agency for International Development (USAID ) and the American government through the (US) President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for their support in making funds available for the implementation of some of their projects, and the Board of trustees amongst others. Opening remarks were made by the Chairman of the occasion, His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) David A.B. Mark, President of the senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria who was ably represented by Senator Nkechi Nwaogu. He commended Mrs. Ajuonu for putting together this event to draw the attention of all present to the urgent need to contribute their bit towards human development. He observed that RWF’s activities complement government’s development efforts and activities, and he urged the organisation to keep up her good work, inviting other civil society organisations to learn from this gathering and come up with programmes that will generate hope for the less privileged. He gave the assurance that the government will continue to provide the enabling environment required for the achievement of these noble objectives.

The special guest of Honour Dr (Mrs) Dora Nkem Akunyili in her keynote address given by a representative, corroborated the Senate president’s words when she said “we need each other, no man is an island”.

The rest of the evening progressed delightfully with the children’s entertaining presentation declaring that ‘Education is the power’. Mrs Benjamin-Laniyi endorsed this as the winning statement of the night. On the platform of the ‘Sponsor-a-Child Programme’ which was launched by RWF during the fund-raising event, fifteen of the twenty names of orphans and vulnerable children presented to the audience were sponsored that evening. There was also a public auction of two paintings by Mr. Nsikak Essien, a renowned Nigerian painter with the principal auction taken for a bid of one million naira and supported with a donation of two hundred thousand naira. Dr. Newton Jibunor, the explorer who crossed the world’s largest desert twice was the father of the day and he donated a copy of his new book ‘Me, My Desert and I’ to the public auction. This was taken by the highest bidder, a staff of WINROCK/AIM Project, one of RWF’s donor organisations, for fifty five thousand naira. He remarked that this was his contribution to the laudable work being done by RWF. He also commended RWF on their good work and encouraged them to keep it up.

The evening also featured presentation of awards to esteemed individuals who have distinguished themselves in philanthropy and hard work. Chief Engineer Arthur Eze, Chairman, Orante oil received the Excellence Award for his charity and philanthropy and a post-humous Excellence Award was presented to the Late Dr. (Mrs) Mariam Babangida for her hard work, dedication and fight for rural women. This award was received on behalf of the family by a representative of the first lady of Zamfara state, the late Mrs. Babangida’s daughter.

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) kindly donated some key publications for the occasion which were displayed and distributed to delegates at the end of the event. The practical guide series generated the most interest as most of the invited guests showed a lot of interest and took copies home after the event. RWF management and staff convey their gratitude to all the invited guests who took out time to honour the invitation and to CTA for its generous contribution to a successful evening.